Digital marketing is here to stay. Highlighting the strength of digital marketing, eMarketer found that digital ad spend in the U.S. will rise 19% to reach $129.34 billion this year, representing 54.2% of all US ad spending. While the importance of digital marketing remains clear, the strategies that got consumers to buy five years ago won’t necessarily work in 2019.
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The following digital marketing certifications will help you keep up with digital marketing trends, sharpen your skills, and further establish your credibility.
Online Marketing Certified Professional Certification
The OMCP exam tests a practitioner’s knowledge and skills of online marketing, helping marketers distinguish themselves among their peers. To earn the premier certification, you must not only pass the exam, but have at least 5,000 hours of professional marketing experience (or a post-secondary degree and 2,000 hours experience), or complete an approved practitioner level course and 1,000 hours experience.
Certification fee: $395
Facebook Blueprint Certification
Facebook Blueprint Certification is a must have if you’re managing and running Facebook ads. The program’s two certifications—the Facebook Certified Planning Professional and the Facebook Certified Buying Professional—recognize an in-depth understanding of Facebook’s products and services. Both exams are targeted at digital advertisers with at least six months’ experience. Passing the blueprint certification earns you a digital badge that’s valid for a year.
Certification fee: $150
Google Analytics Individual Qualification Certification
Demonstrate your proficiency in Google Analytics with this certification by passing the Google Analytics Assessment. Take the test by accessing Academy for Ads, Google’s online training program. After passing the assessment, Google will send testers a personalized certificate. To keep your individual qualification current, you’ll need to re-pass the assessment every 12 months.
Certification fee: Free
Content Marketing Institute Online Training and Certification
Brought to you by the Content Marketing Institute, this program covers all aspects of content marketing, including planning, audience, conversation, channels, processes, and measurement. Subscriptions include exclusive access to materials and educational courses taught by expert marketers.
Certification fee: $995
HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification Course
Looking for a free and fast way to show off your marketing skills? Try HubSpot’s Inbound Marketing Certification course. This program is made up of eight lessons and takes a little over three hours complete. The course covers inbound methodology, growth strategy, conversion optimization, social media promotion, lead nurturing, and more. For less experienced marketers, this certification provides an understanding of core tactics. For seasoned professionals, this credential can help build credibility.
Certification fee: Free
Professional Certified Marketer in Digital Marketing
If you’d rather not go the independent marketing association route, check out the Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) in Digital Marketing Program. Offered by the American Marketing Association, this program includes topics on analytics, social media, user experience, content marketing, and more. You can prepare for the exam through the AMA-approved Learning Path from LinkedIn Learning or attend an in-person AMA Digital Marketing Bootcamp.
To maintain your certification, AMA requires you recertify every three years by earning approved marketing continuing education units (CEUs).
Certification fee: $249 for members, $349 for non-members
YouTube Certification
To succeed on YouTube, you need to know the platform inside and out. The YouTube Certification program can help you learn about channel creation, growth, optimization, and monetization. Choose between several certifications that are valid for 18 months.
Certification fee: Free
Google AdWords
If you’re a PPC specialist, Google’s AdWords Certification will verify your expertise. To become Google Ads certified, you’ll need to pass the Google Ads Fundamentals assessment and one of the additional advertising product assessments, available on Academy for Ads. This certification is valid for 18 months and requires intermittent retaking and passing the required assessments to keep your badge valid.
Certification fee: Free
Salesforce Marketing Cloud Specialist
To prove your experience using Salesforce for marketing campaigns, consider studying to become a Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Email Specialist. Take the exam at a testing center or in an online proctored environment. Note: you must complete maintenance exams to prevent your credentials from expiring or becoming suspended.
Registration fee: $200
Digital Marketing Certified Associate
The Digital Marketing Certified Associate (DMCA) course is a hands-on program designed to help digital marketers master the essential disciplines in digital marketing, including SEO, PPC, and programmatic buying. The program also prepares digital marketers for certification exams such as Google Ads and Facebook Blueprint. Additionally, the Mimic Pro and Social simulations included in the course are powered by real-world data and will enable you to run digital marketing experiments, create virtual search engine marketing campaigns, and perform a variety of other marketing tasks using virtual money. If you’re not satisfied with your training, the program provides a money-back guarantee.
Certification fee: $199 (self-paced learning) or $399 (online course)
Optimove Professional Certification
Recently, Optimove, our parent company, debuted its new certification. Any CRM expert working with Optimove or those who have previously worked with the software, can take the test and join an elite group of relationship marketing professionals who use the platform to provide extraordinary value to their organization.
Certification fee: Free
Continue your education
While digital marketing is constantly evolving, these certifications will sharpen your skills and set you apart from your peers. Other digital marketing certifications you can consider include the Digital Media Buying & Planning Certification for digital media buyers and planners, offered by the Interactive Advertising Bureau. Additionally, check out Hootsuite’s Advanced Social Advertising Certification for an introduction to social media campaigns.
When selecting a digital marketing course, consider how the certification will benefit and enhance your role. Keep in mind that while certifications are great, a willingness to constantly learn the newest technologies, trends, and practices is essential for any marketing role.
